PASSOVER REFLECTIONS RESTORING THE CUP OF JUSTICE APRIL, 2014 PASSOVER 5774 ; Suggested Activity To Enrich Your Seder ABOUT THE CARDS The enclosed cards tell stories of 10 JWW activists as well as survivors of genocide in Darfur and mass atrocities in Congo. Each of these individuals embodies characteristics that serve to repair our broken world. The accompanying questions may be used to discuss various Passover themes and to reflect on the idea of seeking compassion and justice on behalf of the stranger. Note that the graphic representing the cup of justice, on the back of each card, becomes increasingly full as you share and reflect on each story. A Seder of Reflection l We hope you will use these 10 discussion cards to enhance the quality of your Passover Seder or other holiday gatherings, and increase the depth of your conversations about slavery, freedom and redemption. l We suggest that these cards be distributed to your guests and used either after the recitation of the Ten Plagues or after welcoming Elijah the Prophet. l We invite your guests to share their thoughts about these remarkable stories and their reflections on the accompanying questions.
COURAGE 1 COURAGE ; Dr. Denis Mukwege Dr. Mukwege, a Congolese physician, is the founder of Panzi Hospital, which specializes in the treatment of brutally assaulted women in eastern Congo. With support from JWW, many women live at Panzi for years to heal from their physical and psychological wounds. Dr. Mukwege not only saves women s lives, but he is also one of their most powerful advocates. In October 2012, after giving an impassioned speech at the U.N. decrying the impunity for the rape of women in Congo, an assassination attempt was made on his life. He and his family escaped and lived in exile for months. At great personal risk, he has returned to Panzi where he continues to treat and advocate for the women of Congo. Which characters in the Passover story demonstrate courage? When have you found the courage to speak even though others remained silent? Photo by Diana Buckhantz
LEADERSHIP 2 LEADERSHIP ; Jackie Kimbrough, PhD Dr. Jackie Kimbrough contacted JWW in 2004, asking how she could help stop gender-based violence in Darfur. She was moved when she learned about JWW s Solar Cooker Project (SCP), which decreases the need for Darfuri women and girls to take dangerous firewood-collection trips outside of the refugee camps. Through Links, an African-American women s service organization, Dr. Kimbrough provides leadership and support to the SCP. She also ensures a Links presence at JWW events and each year organizes a Links team for our Walk to End Genocide. Through her efforts, Dr. Kimbrough helps Darfuri women build a brighter future. What qualities made Pharaoh and Moses either good or bad leaders? What leadership qualities do you possess and how do you use them? Photo by François Le Gourant
COMPASSION 3 COMPASSION ; Amani Matabaro Tom Amani Matabaro Tom lost both of his parents during the violence in Congo in the late 1990s. Two years ago, he decided that he wanted to honor their memory by giving back to the village of Mumosho. With JWW support, Amani built a women s center to house and care for young teens who have become pregnant as a result of rape. He also started a program that would allow street children, war orphans, and former child soldiers to gain an education. Driven by a deep well of compassion, Amani s eyes fill with tears when he discusses the brutalization of women and the exploitation of children in Congo. He speaks with conviction about the importance of and impact JWW is having on helping his country recover. What acts of compassion stand out to you in the Passover story? Photo by Action Kivu
DEDICATION 4 DEDICATION ; the Schulweis University Fellows Program Through the Schulweis University Fellows Program, college students across the country are becoming powerful advocates for JWW s mission. These dedicated activists raise awareness about genocide by hosting speakers and film screenings, and by organizing hundreds of students to attend our Walk to End Genocide. Alex Fullman, a recent graduate from the University of Southern California, shared our message of hope with more than 1,000 university officials, faculty and students at a graduation ceremony last year. One of a growing number of campus activists, Alex spoke eloquently about how Rabbi Schulweis s vision serves to inspire the next generation of college students to Not Stand Idly By. Which character in the Passover story exemplifies the persistence needed to build a movement or build support for a cause? Photo by JWW
EMPATHY 5 empathy ; Dr. Mukesh Kapila After a Darfuri woman walked 300 miles to report the destruction of her village and the murder of her family, Dr. Mukesh Kapila, then the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, had a realization: How could I remain in my office while genocide was taking place? I should have walked the 300 miles to her. Feeling her pain, and recognizing that given his position with the UN, Dr. Kapila decided to Not Stand Idly By. At the cost of his diplomatic career, he became the first whistle-blower of the Darfur genocide. What parts of the Passover narrative might be intended to evoke empathy? When have you demonstrated empathy towards people you don t know? Photo by JWW
OPTIMISM 6 OPTIMISM ; Prince Ntwali With his family killed and his village razed, 13-year-old Congolese street child Prince Ntwali would have been an easy target for abduction and conscription as a child soldier. Generation Hope offered him a different path. Graduates of this JWW-sponsored mentoring program are prepared for university education and equipped to end the cycle of poverty and unspeakable violence. Inspired by a lesson in school about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and despite the horrific events of his own life, Prince wrote a poem demonstrating remarkable optimism about the future of Congo. He declared I have a dream that this country will be transformed into a paradise where foreigners will not bring aid, but will come to find rest and peace. Which Passover characters best exemplify optimism in the face of adversity? Can you share a time during which you demonstrated such optimism? Photo by Un Jour Nouveau
JUSTICE 7 JUSTICE ; Helene JWW first met 19-year-old Helene in Congo shortly after she was liberated from enslavement. Speaking almost inaudibly, Helene described her dream to become a lawyer so she could advocate for girls who had been brutally abused like her. This year, JWW leaders met 23-year-old Helene and were moved to tears when she revealed that she has indeed finished law school and is helping to prepare rape survivors to testify in court. While Congo s justice system is wholly inadequate, and while rape survivors expose themselves to danger by testifying, Helene valiantly fights for justice for Congo s women. The Talmud teaches that it is not our duty to complete a task, but neither are we free to idle from it. Rather than feeling daunted by what may seem impossible, what will you do this year to advance the cause of justice? Photo by Janice Kamenir-Reznik
8 HOPE HOPE ; Camille & Esther Ntoto Camille and Esther Ntoto not only serve the immediate needs of their fellow Congolese, but also fight for societal change. Together with JWW, they launched Sons of Congo, a mentoring program through which they teach men, many of whom are perpetrators of sexual violence, about respecting and valuing women. Sons of Congo has reached nearly 10,000 men with the message that the culture of gender-based violence with impunity must end. Esther and Camille s efforts symbolize their hope for people s capacity to change and for men and women to work together to build a better Congo. Which characters undergo change or transformation over the course of the Passover story? Do you believe that people can change? Photo by JWW
9 Passion PASSION ; Pastor Kasereka Kasomo Pastor Kasereka Kasomo, affectionately known as Pastor K, leads a church in Los Angeles whose members have fled the violence in Congo. Pastor K is a passionate activist who leads his congregants to stand with JWW to pave a path to peace and justice in Congo. At last year s Walk to End Genocide, Pastor K gave an impassioned speech that describes why he walks with JWW. He explained, I walk for the voiceless people, victims of extreme violence in the DRC. I walk to call upon Congolese men to reject violence against Congolese women. I walk to tell the predators of Congo s natural resources to stop the exploitation. To stop the destruction of the beauty of my country. In what way did someone s passion impact the outcome of our Exodus from Egypt? About what social justice issues are you most passionate? Photo by Mike Ramsdell
ACTIVISM 10 ACTIVISM ; YOU! As a supporter of and advocate for the mission of JWW, you are making a difference. You are part of an inspiring movement. You participate with our Hear Her Voice delegation to advocate in Washington DC and you support our conflict minerals campaign to help quell the violence in Congo. You choose to keep yourself informed by reading our blogs and website, and you share with your friends, classmates and fellow congregants that genocide and mass atrocities continue today. You support our on-the-ground projects that heal and empower women, educate children, transform men and work towards a world without genocide. You add your feet, voice and passion to the thousands who participate in our Walks to End Genocide. YOU are getting us there... One Life at a Time. Will you WALK with us? WalktoEndGenocide.org Los Angeles April 27, 2014 San Diego March 30, 2014 Orange County April 6, 2014 Santa Rosa April 27, 2014 Conejo Valley May 4, 2014 Photo by Asher Pink